Category Archives: Roofing

Metal is a traditional roofing option that has recently grown even more popular than before. It looks great and offers so many benefits, such as fire resistance and energy efficient home cooling. There is very little leak potential when installed correctly, and the material is actually designed to make the task very simple.

Some roofing materials are very heavy and do not suit the foundation of all homes, but metal is versatile and lightweight. This benefit does not come at the cost of sacrificing strength because it offers maximum wind resistance. Metal will never become weak from water damage, extreme heat, ice, snow, or other adverse conditions that damage less durable roofs.

Expected Lifespan of a Metal Roof

Every homeowner that is making an investment in a new roof wants to know that they are getting a product that will last. With adequate maintenance throughout the years, metal is expected to last a minimum of 50 years before needing a replacement.

Compared to other roofs, it is not going to lose value over time or begin to deteriorate through years of changing weather conditions.

Types of Metal Roofing Materials

Each of the material options has different properties that vary in durability and appearance, with a price difference as well. Steel is one of the more conventional options that can be sealed with a rust and corrosion-proof coating. It is finished with paint to offer a bit of style variation when this material is preferred.

If you are more interested in a high-end metal, there are other options available at a larger expense. Considering the value of a roof that will last at least half a century, it might not be such a bad idea to splurge on one of these options:

• Stainless-steel – The matte gray finish is a signature look for the metal material that will never rust or corrode.
• Alloy – Emphasis on strength, durability, and weather-resistance makes alloy a very worthwhile roofing investment.
• Copper – With a very unique look, copper does not require a special finish to offer rust resistance or graceful weathering.

Metal Panel Roofing or Metal Shingles

Style is the biggest factor when deciding if you prefer panel or shingles for your metal roof. The panel option is easy to recognize for the sleek style that does not deviate from the traditional metal appearance.

Metal shingles actually come in a multitude of styles that are made to imitate wood shakes, slate, and other weaker options without sacrificing any of the positive qualities.

It’s no secret that asphalt shingles are incredible popular in home applications. Compared to wood shakes, slate, tile, and other roofing materials, it stands up as the most favorable option on the market. The material itself is economical, easy to install, and comes in many different styles to match any home.

Base Materials

Fiberglass is one of only two asphalt shingle variations, with the other being traditional organic material. It is created with a base mat of woven fiberglass that is coated with waterproof asphalt. Ceramic granules cover the top layer for added protection against ultraviolet rays. Less asphalt is used to give this product superior durability and strength because of the fiberglass mat. The benefit is a thinner and lighter roofing material that has a longer warranty than the organic option.

Organic mat shingles make use of recycled felt paper that is saturated with asphalt for an element of waterproofing. Adhesive asphalt coats the outer layer to embed ceramic granules to the surface. The increase in actual asphalt used in composition makes organic shingles more expensive, heavy, and thick in comparison. They are less environmentally friendly due to the asphalt content and they can warp over time as they absorb moisture.

Shingle Types

The measurement of these materials is a standard 12 x 36 inches, regardless if they are architectural or three-tab shingles. The architectural shingles featured a laminated layer in the bottom portion and are completely uniform to provide a dimensional, contoured look once applied. Special sealant bonds the layers together and improves the capability of waterproofing as reinforcement. They are susceptible to damage from wind-driven rain so it is not recommended to use in a low-sloping roof design.

Three-tab shingles feature cutouts along the lower edge to create the appearance of separate pieces when in reality it is only one. The results of this style do appear flat, but they are more economical and popular than the architectural option.

Style and Color

Asphalt shingles have truly come a long way from their traditional style, with current options that are designed to mimic other roofing materials. Shapes vary from scalloped-edges to the square appearance of a Colonial style home. There are more options than ever to create a unique looking roof with the benefits of asphalt shingles.

Color variations fit any style of home, with tones ranging from shades of blue to neutral grays. Rather than feature a solid, flat color there are more options that mix different tones in a single shingle. There is even the option to select a weathered look that features the charm of a vintage home with the durability of a new structure. Additional style benefits include the introduction of cool-roof technology to resist heat and boost the effort to save energy.

Durability and Cost

The guarantee of life when using asphalt shingles ranges between 15 and 30 years depending on environmental factors in the area of application. Long summers with exceptionally high temperatures will cause a roof to wear down much faster than in a relatively cool climate. Sudden temperature spikes are very harmful to asphalt because it can cause tiny cracks that can grow into bigger problems.

Shingle life can be increased when used in a steep roof pitch that allows for fast water draining. The less moisture and ice can remain on the surface of a roof, the longer it can hold up against potentially destructive conditions. Subtropical areas that are often damp create susceptibility to developing fungus and algae on the surface. It is possible to use shingles that are resistant to algae if this is a concern so that damage and discoloration is less likely, but the materials will come at a higher cost.

Asphalt shingles are the least expensive in terms of installation cost because it is the easiest material to apply. Finding a decent price may require multiple estimates because the labor fees can vary greatly from contractor to contractor. The materials themselves generally cost a little above or below $1 for each square foot, with an average equaling $100 for every 100 square feet.

If you are in the process of considering a new roof, give us a call to get an estimate on asphalt shingles exclusive to the style of your choosing. We are more than happy to provide multiple options for you to compare before making a decision. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Choosing an asphalt shingle doesn’t have to be complicated if you understand the key features to compare. It’s understandable that every manufacturer is going to market their product as the best, which is why we have simplified the information so that you can reach a conclusion based on your own roofing project. Styles we cover include the architectural laminates, key-cut or tri-laminate, and 3 tab offerings from each major manufacturer.

There is so much to consider about the quality of a roofing shingle, aside from the basic aesthetic appeal. Performance against local weather conditions, wind rating, warranty, and life expectancy are a few of the key factors we recommend evaluating to narrow down your final decision.

CertainTeed

The home owners association includes the Presidential series as their top choice for shingles. Consumers feel confident with the assurance provided by upgraded warranties and the reputation of such a popular roofing brand name.

GAF

This top seller in the roofing industry has earned such prestigious awards as Contractors Choice and Womens Choice for their high performance materials. A 2011 release of advanced mat technology that featured a 50 year limited lifetime warranty made waves within the industry and forced other manufacturers to follow suit.

Malarkey

Popular in the Northwestern United States, the Portland based company specializes in algae resistant shingles. The rubberized and SBS modified shingles provide protection against extreme weather conditions that would damage less durable products.

Owens Corning

Ease of installation is the major advantage of choosing the unique Surenail Technology offered by Owens Corning. Their reputation was built on offering high quality fiberglass shingles that are well-insulated and reliable.

Get in touch with us through the contact form if you would like more assistance comparing the products offered by the most popular roofing manufacturers. We would be happy to provide personal recommendations of solutions that meet the requirements of your residential roof style.

I just bought a house with a roof that has seen better days. The shingles are worn and cupped, and there’s lots of rough-looking flashing. Anything I should worry about before I start interior repairs?
“The roof comes first” is an old expression, but it remains as meaningful as ever. The roof is your home’s first defense against the elements, so don’t tackle any interior remodeling projects until you evaluate what’s above the eaves. “If the roof is bad, everything below it gets wet: walls, ceiling, insulation, electrical wiring, floors, carpets, furnishings, and heating and cooling equipment,” says Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence, which offers professional courses under the aegis of GAF, the nation’s largest roofing manufacturer. “If any of this stuff stays wet, mold can formand there’s a real danger of structural deterioration.”

If a roof inspection reveals problems serious enough to warrant repairs, the next step is to decide whether to fix it yourself or call a professional. In most cases it’s better and safer to hire a pro. Still, it’s important to educate yourself before making the call so you know what to expect.

If your roof is shallow and low to the ground, and you’re confident you can walk on it safely, climb up there and start inspecting. Watch your step and avoid low-hanging electrical cables. If it’s too steep or high, inspect it from the ground using binoculars.

Start by checking the roofing material. Look for loose or missing shingles, as well as those that curl up, cup down, are chipped or torn, or have lost their granule coating. Generally, if more than one-quarter of the shingles are bad, it’s time to replace them all. That can cost as much as $10,000, though the bottom line depends on the type of roof, its size, its pitch, and the number of valleys it has.

Next, inspect the roof deck for sagging areas that could indicate a compromised structure beneath. Then note any loose, damaged, or previously repaired flashing, and check the valleys for cracked roofing material. Look for severe weather deterioration or previous repairs around skylights, vents, and chimneys. While you’re up there, check that the gutters are well secured.

Finally, head into the attic and inspect the underside of the roof deck. Mold or water stains on the plywood sheathing and the insulation could mean that moisture is coming in through the roof or that condensation is forming inside the attic.

Staff Writer (2015 January 14) Does Your Roof Need To Be Repaired? Retrieved on February 7, 2015 from PopularMechanics.com

We’ve all seen the unbelievable pictures of the record-breaking snow that recently buried the Buffalo, NY area. While homeowners have been asked to stay in their homes and off the impassable roads, a new worry has surfaced – can their roof handle the pressure? Here’s some information you can share with your homeowners while they are stuck inside.

Signs that a roof may be at risk from bearing the weight of the heavy white stuff:

Visible sagging

Noises that sound like creaking or popping

Leaking coming from the roof

Flat or low-pitched roofs are more vulnerable, but pitched roofs can still be at risk when the snow is very heavy.

When it’s safe to travel, contractors in the area or within driving distance have an opportunity to help homeowners repair an unsafe roof (see our article “The Benefits and Risks of Replacing a Roof in Winter”). In general, as much snow as possible should be raked off their roof, but leave a few inches to avoid damaging the shingles. Also, make sure the snow is thrown away from the building and be careful using metal tools around power lines. Contractors should advise homeowners to call their insurance company to see if they are covered in the event of a roof collapse.

Liza Barth (2014 November 14) How Much Snow Can a Roof Handle? Retrieved on December 10, 2014 from GAF.com

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but installing festive lights on a home can be a headache and potentially cause damage to your roof. Avoid the hassle and make decorating more enjoyable with these tips for contractors to share with their customers to avoid roof damage.

Don’t let your shingles jingle. Never hang Christmas lights from your shingles. To properly put up lights, they need to be secured to something (that’s why it’s so easy to wrap them around trees). Making even the tiniest of holes in a shingle or roof component will let moisture or leaks in and potentially rot the roof. The best way to put up lights is with clips that hang from the gutter or eaves. Also, before you even climb up to work, untangle the strands and test them to make sure they all light up.

Don’t let ‘er rip. We know you don’t want to be that house that leaves decorations up until summer, but don’t dissemble hastily either by pulling lights off the roof from the cord. This can cause damage to the gutter or potentially your shingle if you didn’t clip them correctly in the first place. Take the time to remove each clip individually. It’s cheaper than replacing gutters or shingles.

Avoid the shock. Make sure decorations, including inflatable items, are away from power lines and plugged into a portable outdoor circuit. In addition, don’t overload the breaker, which can be a potential fire risk.

Bring a buddy. Another person should be on hand to help secure the ladder, carry items, or to help in case of an injury or emergency.

Call a pro. We know most people don’t have extra money lying around during the holiday season, but if you want elaborate decorations, are not comfortable on a ladder, or have areas that are hard to access, it’s best to leave it to a professional to install lights properly without risking damage to the roof—or yourself.

By sharing these tips you can help protect a homeowner’s biggest investment from damage and allow them to safely bask in the season’s glow.

5 Tips for Holiday Decorating Without Damaging the Roof. Retrieved on December 10, 2014 from GAF.com

You may think that just because you can’t see any signs of damage, or because your roof isn’t leaking, you don’t have damage. Remember, hail damage can be particularly difficult to identify and many homeowners discover major roofing damage years down the road, after it’s too late to file a storm damage claim with their insurance company. If you have any reason to suspect hail damage after a storm, you should have a full property damage inspection performed by a reputable contractor, right away.

Roof Hail Damage –Roofs are the most commonly damaged part of a home or business in hailstorms. A damaged shingle may allow water to seep through the roof causing additional damage to the roof deck, support structure, interior walls, or windows, and can cause leaking, staining on walls and flooding inside your home. Leaking roofs lead to costly damages and many insurance policies have strict time limits on submitting claims after hailstorms, so it’s in your best interest to act fast after hailstorms and start the repairs process, if necessary.

Asphalt Shingle Damage: On an asphalt roof, hail damage looks like a dark spot, or bruise, where the roofing granules have been knocked away (look in gutters for accumulation of granules). In some cases you may find holes, cracking, or missing shingles on roofs with hail damage. This can result in leaking and serious water damage, which can lead to mold formation and wood rot, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof resulting in collapse. In severe wind storms, it is common for shingles or sections of the roof to be missing altogether.

Other Types of Shingle Damage: Shake (wood), metal, tile, and slate roof shingles can all suffer damage from hailstorms. Due to the materials, each type of shingle shows unique signs of damage from hail. If shingles are cracked, missing, torn or split at seams, you should definitely have a damage inspection performed. Similarly, if you notice leaking inside your home after a hailstorm, get an inspection right away.

More about Shingle Damage

Siding Damage often results from wind-driven hail. The three most common signs of damage to siding are cracking, chipping and holes. Read more about siding damage here.

Window Damage is similar to siding damage, but usually more obvious to identify. Wind-driven hail can strike windows and break the glass itself, or cause damage to the seals on windows. Read more about window damage here.

Exterior Appliances can also sustain damage in hailstorms. Denting and intake of excessive amounts of water often affect AC / HVAC units after severe hail. Read more about exterior appliance damage here.

How to Repair Hail Damage

Hail damage can be very difficult to detect and often occurs to roofs, siding and windows, all of which are difficult DIY repair projects that could void your homeowners insurance or manufacturer warranty, if not performed by a licensed contractor. Due to the risks associated with hail damage, it is recommended to cut to the chase and have a storm damage repair contractor inspect your damages right away.

Do you like the idea of conducting your own annual roof inspection, but dread climbing the ladder? Problem solved: inspect the roof from underneath—in your attic!

You can detect leaks and water damage from the attic just as easily (and probably a little easier) with enough light and crawling around. If your attic is finished, that’s great; less crawling! The attic is the first place you will see roof problems, so regular inspection is key.

Checklist for Attic Inspections

You’ll want to follow these guidelines if you’re going to inspect your own attic.

Check air vents. You’ll notice that when you crawl into the attic, you can hear outside noises far more clearly than in your living room. This is due to the vents in the sides of the roof that allow airflow. Make sure these vents are free from debris and in good repair.

If you have ridge vents, you’ll need to inspect the wood sheathing (the wood that frames the vent). Make sure that it is cut back to a distance of at least 3 inches from the vent.

Make sure there are no bird nests or leaves in the roof vents. You probably want to check on this several times a year because this kind of blockage is so common.

Check the wood sheathing on all openings from the attic—windows, air vents, chimneys, skylights, and areas where the roof meets in a valley. You need to make sure that no wood is rotting, which is the telltale sign that you have water damage. In fact, most water damage is discovered through rotted sheathing.

Check insulation. Any time you see a gap in insulation, this means that your heat and air is escaping through the roof, meaning higher utility bills. If the insulation is thinner than 10 inches, you need to add more. And if you see any insulation that is damaged by water, you should repair it as soon as possible.

Inspect the entire attic for mold. Mostly you are going to be focused on the wood sheathing. You want to look for black on the wood, as in this helpful blog post.

Finally, check all wood for bowing and cracks. Cracks can be repaired using epoxy, as in this boat hull repair guide. But usually you will need to replace the cracked wood. If there is bowing, you may simply need to add support so that the wooden beams do not collapse.

How does your attic look?

All you need is a strong flashlight (maybe a work light) and some protective gear like gloves and knee-pads, and off you go. If you suspect mold has begun to grow in your attic, you should wear a facemask before climbing up. But if you keep attic inspection in your yearly rotation, you’ll be able to identify and neutralize leaks that cause damage like mold in no time.

Do you perform yearly inspections of your attic? If you do, is it because you find it easier to inspect the roof from inside, where you don’t have to lean over ladder rungs? We want to hear how your roof inspections are going, so leave us a comment now—and we’ll reply!

Before we get into the differences, let’s compare the similarities. Both shingles offer a “limited lifetime warranty” and both are dimensional shingles. Dimensional shingles are what you see on homes that have re-roofed in the past 15 years. The dimensional shingles are more durable and better looking than the flat 3-tab shingles you see on older homes.

Owens Corning Duration Shingles

TruDefinition® Duration® Shingles with patented SureNail® Technology offer a high-end, premium look, which gives your home the aesthetics you desire, at an attractive price. Available in popular colors, TruDefinition® Duration® Shingles provide:

Because almost every shingle roof manufacturer offers a ‘limited lifetime warranty’ it is the consumer’s job to read the fine print. Unfortunately, these product warranties only cover material and do not cover installation, removal or disposal of faulty shingles in the event of a manufacturer defect.

GAF Timberline Shingles

GAF was the first company to really embrace the concept that you are not just installing shingles but in actuality you are installing a roof system. That is why they also offer extended warranty coverage, GAF GOLDEN PLEDGE WARRANTY Philadelphia when you install any GAF Lifetime Shingle & At Least 5 Qualifying GAF Accessories such as TimberTex ridge shingles and they’re premium breathable underlayment DeckArmor.

In the end, you can’t go wrong with either shingle but in our opinion the BEST SHINGLE TO INSTALL in PHILADELPHIA is…Owens Corning Duration Shingles!

The final decision comes down to the fact that Owens Corning Duration Shingles offer the revolutionary SureNail Technology which increases the wind warranty and prevents loose or missing shingles in a wind storm.

Although, GAF roofing offers a Premium Roof Underlayment in Deck Armor, you experienced roofing contractor can combine the Deck Armor Underlayment with either shingle. So for the best of both worlds we recommend Owens Corning Duration Shingles with GAF Deck Armor Underlayment!

It’s been known for long that the topic regarding cleaning a roof may cause a lot of confusions among many property owners. If you have a concern on how to remove moss from your roof, it is likely for you to receive, say, ten different feedbacks when you ask around ten roof cleaning service providers who are operating on a separate basis. You may even question yourself if cleaning a roof is really that complicated. The good news is it’s not.

Firstly, it is crucial to find out the reasons of the presence of different opinions when it comes to techniques in roof cleaning and questions regarding the best roof treatment to use. Basically, it all depends on the availability of capital and access. Many roof cleaning companies tend to operate in a small scale. Generally this kind of operation is considered very good, as small businesses seem to be the major contributors to our present financial condition. Additionally, clients have the opportunity to deal directly with the runner and decision maker of a small business.

Nevertheless, the presence of disadvantages is still there. Roof cleaning companies that are too small in size are not always equipped with the right amount of capital and tools to start providing services immediately. Many businesses only have around $1000 to $10000 to buy a power washer and after that they are left with zero capital. Additionally, when the company purchases a certain tool that helps in the process of roof cleaning in a certain unique method, it is often too difficult to convince clients that this single cleaning method is the one to look for all the time.

The disadvantages do not stop around the issues of not having enough capital. This is understandable as certain cleaning techniques do not need the use of many cleaning tools. However, most of the business owners need to get their hands on the latest technology in roof treatment solutions in which many of them are unable to get access to. If these businesses are not knowledgeable about these treatment options, no services associated to these can be offered to customers. In a way, the main issue still falls back on capital as such businesses are, in general, unable to spend more than a few thousand dollars to develop their own custom treatment options.

On the contrary, general roof cleaning options like zinc sulfate and bleaching treatment can be obtained from most companies. These treatment options are often considered as the crucial requirements in any roof cleaning solutions, but in reality they don’t really address specific and unique requirements of the roof.

At the same time, the license for pesticide imposed in a number of states is adding up to the educational requirement to services related to roof treatment. In order to get rid of moss on the roof, in many situations a license for pesticide is considered an obligation. However, ‘pesticide’ should not be a word to be afraid of as the substances used for cleaning are rather common; for instance, zinc sulfate. Others are gentle in nature but these need to be tested and this provides another problem that needs to be solved.

In general the varied opinions collected from different roof cleaning companies might strongly be due to the fact that they’re only capable of providing one treatment solution only, regardless of its level of effectiveness.

The role of awareness and familiarity

Most of us would go for services that we’re well aware of. This is rather understandable, as the nature of life is often as such. The same goes with roof cleaning. Many businesses are actually created by people who were formerly a foreman who worked for other companies. When they are asked to offer a service, typically they are inclined to provide the one they had offered at the company they previously worked for. I would rather regard this as a positive energy but with the use of wrong information. This same scenario keeps going on and on.

In addition, when a person puts in too much energy doing laborious jobs for long hours, they have no time to spend to put together the kind of professionalism and industry-relevant services anymore. In other words, a lot of roof cleaning companies are actually clueless on the presence of more effective techniques and roofing treatments.

It’s beneficial to be a smart property owner

As most of property owners do not know much about roof cleaning, many are easily scared off by service providers as these are the people who should know the whole extent regarding roof cleaning. This is especially true in cases when a roof cleaning contractor is able to pitch his client excellently; a client would normally agree and remain not knowing whether the opinion is true.

The extensive list below is comprised of a number of different techniques that can be utilized for roof cleaning and roof treatment: